Visitor Guidelines

Access around the reserve on the marked paths is straightforward. Parts of the reserve remain very damp even in summer and waterproof footwear is advised.

Description

The reserve consists of a long, narrow strip of coppice woodland known as the "The Furlong Coppice" in 1841, which separated at that time, two large arable fields called the "The Furlongs" and "Bockleton Field". Both these names imply mediaeval open field agriculture. Geologically, the reserve lies on the plateau of Old Red Sandstone (Dittonian series) rock which makes up much of North East Herefordshire, the soils being neutral or somewhat acidic in reaction. A small stream rises near the south end of the site and runs down the centre of the wood, bounded on both sides by marshy ground. It seems likely that the area covered by the reserve had always formed an uncultivated boundary between the two open fields, and represents a surviving fragment of damp ancient woodland.

Originally, the reserve would have been dominated by Alder and Willow, but in 1811 the Bockleton estate planted the area up as an "Ash bed", probably to supply poles for the nearby hop-yards. As a result of this planting, although Alder and Willow still grow in the marshy parts, in the drier areas there are now massive old coppiced Ash stools, covered in mosses and lichens, and forming a particular feature of the reserve. Coppicing by the estate had continued up to 1983 when the Trust acquired the land, and continuation of the coppice cycle has been maintained since.

The shrub layer in the wood is interesting as it includes Elder, Guelder Rose, and both Wild Currant and Wild Gooseberry, both native plants of old woodland and not garden escapes. The ancient nature of this wood is confirmed by the distinctive ground flora with large amounts of Bluebell, Primroses, Herb Paris, Dog's Mercury and Moschatel, together with smaller quantities of Yellow Archangel, Meadow Saffron, Woodruff, Red Campion, Twayblade and Early Purple Orchids. In the marshy areas, Meadowsweet and Water Avens abound, with Marsh Marigolds beside the stream.

Present Management

The main aim of management is to maintain the coppice cycle on the Ash, Alder and Willow present.

Acquisition Details

Donated to the Trust in 1983 by Mr. J. Farquharson.

General Information

Best time to visit		Spring and summer.
Habitat		Ancient broad-leaved coppice woodland.
Size		0.8 hectares (2 acres).
Specialites		Meadow Saffron (8-9), Twayblade (5-7), Early Purple Orchid (4-6), Bluebell (4-6), Herb Paris (5-6), Wild Currant, Wild Gooseberry. Parking: Space for one or two cars on the roadside.
Parking		Space for one car on roadside.
OS map		Explorer 203.
Nearby Reserves		Motlins Hole and Romers Wood.

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